The Israeli military and the main settler organization say security has improved in the West Bank, but settlers say they still must cope with attacks on the roads — and worry that the removal of security roadblocks will eventually lead to tragedy.

By touring Israel, visiting historic sites, and even taking part in mass bar mitzvah ceremonies, many of the 8,000 or so athletes in Israel for the 18th Maccabiah Games are finding that the games are as much about fostering their sense of Jewish belonging and pride as they are about athletics.

A group of haredi Orthodox fundamentalists in Beit Shemesh uses violence and threats to impose an uncompromising brand of religious fundamentalism on their community. More moderate haredim and Modern Orthodox Jews are struggling to fight back.

New Israeli regulations that make it more difficult for converts from the Diaspora to obtain Israeli citizenship constitute the latest chapter in the long-running battle over who is a Jew — a question that repeatedly has strained Diaspora-Israel relations.

Despite his expressed support for allowing the “natural growth” of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has not approved any additional construction for Jews there. Israeli critics of the settlements say enough building plans already have been approved to keep settlement construction going for years.